Greetings from Frankenstein
The Etruscan Chimera of Arezzo, National Archaeological Museum, Florence by Fratelli Alinari 1850 - 1900
Yes, I know, Spooktober is long over. But in this challenge, you get to become Frankenstein yourself and create your own fantastic "creatures".
The idea for this challenge was inspired by this year's summer camp prompts on metamorphosis and symbiosis. When you think of chimeras, you probably immediately picture the Chimera from Greek mythology, a mixed creature with a lion's head, a goat's body, and a dragon/serpent's tail that breathes fire. But did you know that many more creatures are referred to as chimeras?
Here are some examples that will surely inspire you with plenty of ideas for this year's Worldember.
- Mythology: a mixed creature
- Figurative meaning: an illusion
- Fauna: a representative of the snake fishes (chimaeriformes) from the order of cartilaginous fishes
- Biology: Organism made up of genetically different cells and tissues (e.g. grafted tree varieties, blood chimeras in multiple births, people with organ transplants)
- Paleontology: adulterated composite fossils (e.g. Piltdown Man, Archaeoraptor)
- Virology: Virus with genome segments or fragments from two or more parent viruses
- Video game: Term for a specific type of boss to be defeated
Wolpertinger - House of Nature Salzburg, Austria
by Blue Fairy 74 - Summer 2013
by Blue Fairy 74 - Summer 2013
It's crucial to clearly distinguish chimeras from hybrids. A hybrid arises from reproduction through the mixing of germ cells, so that every cell in the organism contains genetic material from both parents. A chimera, on the other hand, is an organism composed of various genetically distinct cells or tissues originating from two or more different fertilized eggs or embryos.
Terms of Participation
Create a believable chimera! You get imaginary bonus points if it's not a hybrid!
The description of your chimera must be clearly evident from the article.
The Rules:
- Any article template is allowed. Yes, you could even write a mythical story about your chimera, or about a Frankensteinian character who created chimeras, or describe a technology that creates chimeras. You could even combine the challenge with Catoblepon's Condition Challenge* If creating a true Chimera seems too daunting, you're of course welcome to create a hybrid item. But I would be very pleased if you didn't take the easy way out.
- Write a minimum of 300 and a maximum of 1,500 words (without BBCode) in a (common) language of your choice. I will translate your article using AddOn.
- The article must have been created in December 2025.
- Publish your article block by 31. December 2025 in the comments of this article.
- Ensure a readable layout.
- Include the source when using images.
- Indicate any NSFW content.
- I would appreciate it if you would link to this challenge in the (old version) footer of your article. (Section Footer Full Width Footer, e.g., in response to Blue Fairy 74's "Unofficial Chimera Challenge")
- Use #UnofficialChallenge for posts on WorldAnvil.
- Have fun, be creative, and please don't put yourself under pressure.
Prices
Badge for all participants.
by Blue Fairy 74
Your articles will be part of my NY Reading Challenge in January 2026, and I will announce the winner of the challenge there. The winner will receive a drawing of their chimera from me.
I look forward to your submissions! Warm regards, Blue
oOOOOooo I can't wait for this! So many possibilties!
That sounds soooOOOOOoooo great and I would be very, very pleased if you submitted something.
Here are my Entries for the water continent Ulűri̋qi̋